Banksia Foundation

MEDIA RELEASE

3 May 2011

With a track record of 23 years, the Banksia Awards continues to prove that Australians are taking up the challenges to preserve an environmentally sustainable future. 2011 will not be an exception. The Banksia Environmental Foundation encourages entries from community groups, local government and businesses no matter what the size. The awards continue to demonstrate that all contribution can make a difference and motivate others to action.

"The Banksia Awards are recognised as Australia's premier environmental awards, and winning such an award would be a great "pat on the back" for all involved" says Dr Ben Hoffmann, Senior Research Scientist, CSIRO representing 2010 Origin Gold Banksia Award winners 'Yellow Crazy Ant Management Project' Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation, NT in partnership with CSIRO and Rio-Tinto Alcan. "Winning a Banksia Award provides a great sense of achievement and immense satisfaction knowing that the results of your hard labour are recognised nationally. Through our successes, we hope to inspire others to achieve ambitious goals, especially where the odds are stacked against them."

The 2011 Banksia Awards comprises of 10 category awards which look for entries that can demonstrate a significant contribution to the sustainable future of this country in "living better" and "working better"; through their leadership and innovative ways in managing environmental and societal improvements. From these 10 categories the Origin Gold Banksia Award is awarded to the best of the best.

"By supporting the awards, Origin hopes to help Banksia reward innovative and sustainable thinking and also encourage others to begin their own sustainability journey" said Penny Gray, Marketing Manager, Origin. "The Banksia awards not only provide wonderful recognition for efforts in sustainability, the foundation also provides a great network of like-minded people all with vastly different stories to tell. Entering the awards showcases what you are doing to help the environment, and gives you the opportunity to share your experiences with others."

Submissions close – 22 July 2011 at 5.00 p.m.

If you want learn more about the awards and gets some insight into putting together an entry, come to the Banksia Awards information session register at www.banksiafdn.com.

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For further information contact: Izabella Kobylanski, Planning Results